VOTE: Star vs. Chopped Summer Salad Showdown

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Summer Salad Showdown

We challenged two prestigious groups — Chopped judges and Food Network Star winners — to a summer recipe showdown. All season long, we’ll present head-to-head matchups of mouthwatering summer recipes from each team — from refreshing cocktails to fresh farmers’-market salads to the juiciest backyard burgers. By voting each week here on FN Dish or on our Fan Feed, you’ll determine the winning recipes.

At the end of the summer, the team that tallies up the most wins will celebrate with an all-star Labor Day party menu. Who will prevail as Summer Showdown champion — Star or Chopped?

This week, Season-6 Star winner Aarti Sequeira and Chopped judge Aarón Sánchez spice up summer’s best produce in a pair of rival salads. Aarti puts an Indian spin on grilled corn, while Aarón takes fresh tomatoes and infuses them with Mexican flavors. Whose will be a must on your summer table? Cast your votes below!

Summer Salad Showdown: Aarón's Vine-Ripe Tomato Salad With Queso Fresco vs. Aarti's Indian Street Corn Salad

According to Aarti, "One of the most beloved street foods in India is also one of the simplest: corn on the cob, slow roasted over hot coals, over which you squeeze juicy lime wedges and sprinkle salt, cayenne pepper and whatever else the wallah has up his sleeve." Inspired by this favorite street snack, Aarti created a salad incorporating all of the flavors.

Aarón makes the most of sweet, juicy summer tomatoes in this fresh salad that gets a kick from serrano chiles and Mexican oregano (use regular if you can't find the Mexican variety!). Topped with crumbled queso fresco and drizzled with a simple vinaigrette, his impressive-looking dish takes just a few minutes to prepare.

Whose salad will you add to your summer spread?

For more favorite summer recipes, check out Food Network’s Grilling Central. Head back here to FN Dish or check out our Fan Feed next week for a new Summer Showdown matchup!

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